Ambitious North East Autism Society development enters phase two
Part of our ongoing Growing Futures appeal, the second phase of development will see several new buildings erected – including a cider mill, a farm shop, and a café.
Theo, 12, represents NEAS at national film awards
AN AUTISTIC boy from Gateshead is attending a prestigious film awards ceremony in London where a video he helped create is up for two national prizes.
It’s 12-year-old Theo’s first trip to the capital, and he’ll be going with his mum Katie Friend to the 02 arena for the Smiley Film awards, described as the Oscars of the charity world.
Theo is representing the North East Autism Society (NEAS), which has reached the finals in the Short Film and People’s Choice categories for a film called Autism from the Inside.
The animated video was created by the charity’s Autism Activists, a group of young people including Theo who meet up to make friends, build confidence and get their voices heard.
Katie says: “Theo is so proud that the video is in the finals and that he will be representing NEAS at the awards.
“He has never been to London, and I’ve always said to him that one day I would take him. It’s going to be such an experience and we’re so excited.”
Autism from the Inside was created, scripted and voiced by the Autism Activists, with the help of animator Graeme Patterson, to explain in their own words what it means to be autistic.
Katie says: “Theo loves to tell people about neurodiversity and how everybody’s brain is different but just as important as each other’s.
“He loved working on the film, bouncing ideas off everyone and having the freedom to say or draw what he wanted."
“The power was in his hands and he really enjoyed that. When we got to see the video come together, we were stunned at how great and impactful it was.”
Their film is up against national charities such as Samaritans, Scope, Parkinson’s UK and Elton John AIDS Foundation.
The awards are being hosted by TV presenter Lisa Snowdon on Thursday 20th March – the International Day of Happiness – and will be livestreamed to millions of people.
Theo and Katie have planned their trip to London carefully to make sure the sight-seeing and the ceremony don’t overwhelm the 12-year-old.
They’ve booked a hotel near London City Airport because Theo loves plane-spotting. Katie says:
“Our room has a view of the runway, so watching the planes and spending some quiet time there will help him regulate. Then we’ll get to the 02 early to familiarise ourselves with the environment.”
Kerrie Highcock, Family Development at NEAS who runs the Autism Activists project, says: “I’m so proud of these young people and so pleased that Theo will be representing us all at the ceremony.
“Autistic young people aren’t always heard within society, so this is a brilliant platform for them to get their voices out there.”
Theo has been working with the Activists for several years and Katie says he gets a lot out of it. “He can relax and be himself with the group,” she says. “In other settings he masks a lot and feels self-conscious, but with NEAS he feels completely comfortable. He isn’t dismissed and he is listened to.”
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